Housing the “Blockhouse”, an innovation and expertise centre, Catallaxy will be a unique portal for the blockchain technological and economic revolution. Our objective is to prepare businesses for their blockchain transformation.

The centre will be operational this fall with a service offering combining the advanced technical expertise of the blockchain community and Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton’s consultants.

Fifteen people will be based in Montréal with some 50 strategic partners and collaborators worldwide.

Transformative technology

Emilio B. Imbriglio, President and CEO of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton stated: “Blockchain technology has the potential to transform our current business model. This is why we want to create this new synergy between our traditional activities and the new opportunities offered by this technology. Working with internationally renowned experts, we want to make Montréal a hub for blockchain technology development within the Grant Thornton network.”

Jonathan Hamel, President and CEO of Catallaxy added: “Blockchain is a strong trend along the same lines as artificial intelligence. Technologies like Bitcoin and Ethereum will have the same impact on the financial system and governance as the Internet had on written media and music.”

The team

Jonathan Hamel developed mobile payment solutions in emerging countries and was one of the first investors in the Ethereum platform. He is also a member of the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) technological innovation advisory committee.

Vincent Gauthier developed various blockchain solutions and is the founder of the Blockchain Montreal community.

Francis Pouliot was the founder and President of Satoshi Portal, co-founder of the Montréal Bitcoin Embassy and member of the Bitcoin Foundation and the Ontario Securities Commission’s Fintech committee.

About Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton

Founded in 1948, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton has become a Canadian leader in the areas of assurance, tax, advisory services, and business recovery & reorganization. Its strength is based on a team of over 2,300 professionals, including some 200 partners. Together, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton and Grant Thornton LLP, another Canadian member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, help dynamic Canadian organizations unlock their potential for growth with over 4,200 professionals and some 140 offices across Canada. Grant Thornton International Ltd provides clients with the expertise of member and correspondent firms in more than 130 countries, with over 47,000 professionals.

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Our firm in the media

Financial Literacy of Children, Bill 134, Knowing How to Avoid Fraud and Other Helpful Tips

05 Jul 2017

In connection with his financial shows on Radio-Canada radio, Pier-Paul Belzil-Lacasse, Lead Senior Manager, Turnaround and Licensed Insolvency Trustee at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, discusses a series of issues.

Is your estate properly planned?

The foundation of proper estate planning is obviously to have a will and mandate in case of incapacity. By having such documents and consulting a notary, you’ll be able to appoint a liquidator, appoint a guardian for the children, specify how your property and money is to be allocated, etc.

When should you think about making a will? As a couple, when you have assets together or children, a will is almost imperative so don’t wait too long if you’re in this situation and still don’t have a will.

Children and money: simple, practical tips

It’s important to explain to children how money works to avoid the subject becoming taboo and to demystify money management. Here are a few ideas to explore with your little ones based on their age.

Less than 5 years old: keep a piggy bank and put money in it to instill the notion of saving, pretend shopping to show the exchange involved in a purchase, learn how to count, etc.

6 to 8 years old: explain the difference between debit and credit.

9 to 12 years old: compare the price of certain products at the store or grocery based on different brands.

13 to 15 years old: establish a budget for buying clothes at the start of the school year, go over the monthly credit card statement to learn about interest, analyze advertisements, make a budget, make them understand how saving leads to the realization of financial objective and dreams, establish the difference between needs and wants, etc.

What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee?

In his last show of the season, Pier-Paul Belzil-Lacasse discusses the profession of a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. He explains what’s involved in the basic training required to obtain a license to practice. He also specifies when a person should meet with a trustee and what is discussed in such a meeting.

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Our firm in the media

Emilio B. Imbriglio Visits Grant Thornton Offices in Rome

05 Jul 2017

From May 28-30, 2017, Emilio B. Imbriglio, President and CEO, participated in the Canadian trade delegation to Italy with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of International Trade François-Philippe Champagne, to reinforce existing ties between Canada and Italy.

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Montérégie team participates in the Relay for Life

27 Jun 2017

Congratulations to Patrice Gosselin and Édith Pion from the Brossard office, who participated in the Relay for Life in Longueuil in June and raised over $15,000.

The Relay for Life, which takes place in over 90 cities in Québec and 400 locations across Canada, is a fund-raising event for the Canadian Cancer Society. Team members take turns walking around a track at night to symbolize the ongoing fight against cancer.

On the night of June 9th, several Brossard office members participated in the Relay for Life held at Michel-Chartrand park in Longueuil, with over 450 other participants. Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton’s team included Patrice Gosselin, assurance provider and Édith Pion, Tax Partner, both cancer survivors.

Thanks to donations from partners, colleagues and clients, the Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton team successfully raised over $15,000, far more than the $150 minimum required per participant.

In 2016, the Relay for Life raised over $12 million across the country.